Does the owner of the Quick Mart gas station in Atlanta face legal liability after a shooting left a man seriously injured?
Atlanta Police officers recently responded to a shooting at 3221 M.L.K. Jr Dr, the location of a Quick Mart gas station. They located a man who had been shot in the abdomen. He was transferred to a hospital with a serious injury.
Investigators believe the shooting happened after two men got into an argument. While police have not identified the victim or the shooter, they are asking for anyone with more information to come forward.
Property and business owners in Georgia, including Quick Mart, must ensure the safety of their property if there have been crimes in the vicinity. This could involve asking consumers for identification, keeping criminals at bay, deploying visible surveillance cameras, having security personnel on site, and making sure the area is adequately lit. According to studies, these steps can minimize violent crime in and around companies.
The Quick Mart location has seen a number of violent incidents in recent years. In August 2018, a shoot-out took place at the station that left two people dead. A review of ADP online records reveals numerous incidences of assault, robbery, weapons violations, and more in recent years at the same address.
In Georgia, the onus falls on property and business owners to ensure the safety of their establishments by taking necessary precautions against foreseeable criminal activities. Failure to address such issues could result in an unfortunate cycle of repeated offenses.
While law enforcement authorities play a pivotal role in apprehending criminals and seeking justice, they lack the power to compel property owners to proactively prevent crimes or provide financial restitution to the victims and their families.
Legal recourse in the form of civil litigation is available to those who have survived a violent crime or the families of victims. Through this avenue, a civil judgment can assist with expenses like medical bills and lost earnings, serving as a crucial starting point for healing. However, it is important to acknowledge that monetary compensation alone cannot fully alleviate the profound suffering caused by violent crime.
Regrettably, property owners and management are often reluctant to take preventive measures until they face significant financial repercussions in court, a trend worth noting in this context.
Together we can Make Atlanta Safe, one community at a time.